WHY MOST GYMS ARE OPEN, BUT VIRGIN ACTIVE AND PLANET FITNESS STILL REMAIN CLOSED

It’s been almost five months since gyms and other entities in the fitness industry have been able to trade. It's an industry that has been hit very hard during the National State of Disaster related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement by president Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday that the country will move down to Alert Level 2 from Tuesday, meant that gyms were able to start operating again. The regulations related to the fitness industry are very strict and all gyms are required to submit their COVID operational procedures before they can allow members to train on their property again.

While most gyms opened their doors, the two biggest fitness groups in the country have decided not to.

In a statement released by the Virgin Active group on social media, it said that, although they welcome the news that gyms may re-open, they have decided not to re-open so that they can implement government's imposed restrictions.   

Planet Fitness tweeted that they are also no opening today, but that their teams are working around the clock to prepare the clubs. They have also stated that they will be announcing their opening soon.

Regulations that could potentially have major impacts on gyms and other fitness entities are the fact that members won’t be able to bring their own yoga mats or sweat towels; and that only 50 people will be allowed in the gym at any given time.

During the closure of their gyms, Virgin Active have waivered their membership fees.

Image credits: Twitter and Courier